Union Saint-Gilloise 2-3 Olympique Marseille: Post-match review, Stats, Key moments

Olympique Marseille came away with a 3-2 victory over Union Saint-Gilloise in a lively encounter. It all kicked off early when Anan Khalaili put Union ahead in the 5th minute with a smart finish assisted by Rob Schoofs, but Marseille hit back through Igor Paixão in the 15th, assisted by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, to level things up. Before the break, Mason Greenwood grabbed his first of the game in the 41st, again with Aubameyang providing the assist, giving Marseille the edge going into half-time. Union’s recent run of losses, including heavy defeats to Inter and Newcastle, seemed to weigh on them as they struggled to keep pace.

The second half saw Marseille extend their lead when Mason Greenwood scored his second in the 58th, this time set up by Matt O’Riley, making it 3-1. Union fought back with Anan Khalaili netting his brace in the 71st to pull one back, but despite some late pressure and a flurry of yellow cards, including ones for Christian Burgess, Adem Zorgane, Ousseynou Niang and Promise David, they couldn’t find an equaliser. Marseille, buoyed by recent wins over Newcastle and Ajax, looked more composed and held on for the points. A couple of VAR checks in the closing stages, including one on Promise David, added to the tension but didn’t change the outcome.

Marseille edged the possession with 59% compared to Union’s 41%, which showed they controlled more of the ball and dictated the tempo for longer spells, while Union looked to hit on the counter. The corners were close at 3-2 in Marseille’s favour, and successful dribbles were almost even at 56-55, suggesting both sides had players willing to take opponents on and create chances. Union picked up four yellow cards to Marseille’s one, pointing to a more frantic and perhaps frustrated approach from the hosts, with no reds or penalties on either side to swing the game dramatically.

Substitutions played a part too, with Union using all five slots – Sofiane Boufal and Promise David came on for Rob Schoofs and Raul Florucz at 64’, Marc Giger and Mathias Rasmussen replaced Kevin Rodríguez and Kamiel Van De Perre at 82’, and Ross Sykes took over from Ousseynou Niang in stoppage time – possibly to chase the game late on. Marseille made four changes, starting with Leonardo Balerdi replacing Timothy Weah at half-time, Bilal Nadir for Matt O’Riley at 69’, and then Robinio Vaz and Geoffrey Kondogbia coming on for Mason Greenwood and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at 88’. Marseille also recorded two assists to Union’s one, underlining their sharper edge in setting up goals, and no injury-time strikes meant the scoring wrapped up before the final whistle.

The game burst into life early with Anan Khalaili’s opener for Union in the 5th minute, assisted by Rob Schoofs, but Marseille quickly responded through Igor Paixão in the 15th, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang laying it on. Mason Greenwood then turned the tide with goals in the 41st and 58th minutes, both assisted – first by Aubameyang and then by Matt O’Riley – putting Marseille in a strong position. Union clawed one back via Khalaili’s second in the 71st, keeping hopes alive.

A half-time switch saw Leonardo Balerdi replace Timothy Weah for Marseille, which seemed to steady their defence after Weah’s earlier yellow card in the 28th. Late on, Union’s yellow cards piled up, with Christian Burgess booked in the 59th, Adem Zorgane in the 68th, Ousseynou Niang in the 80th and Promise David in the 90th, while VAR reviews on Kevin Mac Allister in the 77th and Promise David in stoppage time added drama without altering the score. Substitutions like Sofiane Boufal and Promise David entering at 64’ gave Union fresh legs, but it wasn’t enough to overturn the deficit.

Union Saint-Gilloise lined up in a 3-1-4-2 shape, which allowed them to be compact at the back while pushing forward through midfield partnerships like Rob Schoofs and Kamiel Van De Perre. Anan Khalaili stood out up top with his brace, supported by assists from Schoofs early on, and players like Christian Burgess and Adem Zorgane provided defensive grit despite picking up yellow cards. Late changes brought in fresh energy with Sofiane Boufal replacing Schoofs and Promise David coming on for Raul Florucz, aiming to boost their attack.

Olympique Marseille set up in a 3-4-1-2 formation, giving them balance with Mason Greenwood and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang linking well in attack, where Aubameyang’s two assists proved key. Igor Paixão added width and a goal, while Matt O’Riley contributed an assist before being replaced by Bilal Nadir. The half-time introduction of Leonardo Balerdi for Timothy Weah helped shore up the back after Weah’s yellow card, and late subs like Geoffrey Kondogbia for Aubameyang maintained their control.

Coral’s Man of the Match goes to Anan Khalaili for his standout performance, bagging a brace with goals in the 5th and 71st minutes to keep Union in the fight. He didn’t notch any assists but created one big chance and delivered three key passes, showing his threat and vision upfront. Even in a losing effort, his efforts highlighted why he was the pick of the bunch.

Recent Champions League matches:

• Loss: 2-3 vs Olympique Marseille (H)
• Win: 1-0 vs Galatasaray (A)
• Loss: 1-3 vs Atlético Madrid (A)
• Loss: 0-4 vs Inter (H)
• Loss: 0-4 vs Newcastle United (H)

Recent Champions League matches:

• Win: 3-2 vs Union Saint-Gilloise (A)
• Win: 2-1 vs Newcastle United (H)
• Loss: 0-1 vs Atalanta (H)
• Loss: 1-2 vs Sporting CP (A)
• Win: 4-0 vs Ajax (H)

Union Saint-Gilloise have just suffered a 2-3 home defeat to Olympique Marseille, adding to a tough run of form with four losses in their last five games, including heavy ones against Inter and Newcastle. Sitting 25th on six points, they’ll be desperate to turn things around when they face Sporting Charleroi on 14 December at 17:30. With their position looking precarious, this could be a chance to pick up vital points and build some momentum, especially after a rare win over Galatasaray in their recent outings.

Olympique Marseille have just secured a 3-2 away win over Union Saint-Gilloise, building on back-to-back victories including against Newcastle, though they’ve had slips like the losses to Atalanta and Sporting CP. Currently 16th on nine points, they’ll host Monaco on 14 December at 19:45, with the visitors also on nine points in 18th spot. This mid-table clash offers a good opportunity to climb the standings and keep the positive streak going.

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Odds and market details are accurate as of the time of publication.